2002: Bali bombing victims flown to Darwin for treatment

IN the largest aeromedical evacuation since the Vietnam War, at least 66 Australians injured in the Bali bombings were flown to Darwin for treatment in 2002

Dr Didier Palmer (in blue) helps wheel injured Bali Bombing victims into Royal Darwin Hospital.

IN the largest aero-medical evacuation since the Vietnam War, at least 66 Australians injured in the Bali bombings were flown to Darwin for treatment in 2002.

The Australian Defence Force then helped transfer patients from Royal Darwin Hospital to medical centres around the country.

The explosions – two in busy nightspots and one in front of the American consulate – killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, and wounded hundreds more.

This was also the year the Australian Wallabies rugby union side struck it lucky by training in the Northern Territory in preparation for the 2003 World Cup.

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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones credited a training boot camp at Mount Borradaile in Arnhem Land – and a close encounter with a 4m saltie – as playing a crucial role in their semi-final victory over the New Zealand All Blacks.

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The Wallabies beat the New Zealand All Blacks 22-10.

Jones said the players benefited physically and mentally from practising in the heat, with one of the team even gaining some unexpected speed skills during a fishing trip in a croc-infested river.